Canada’s luxury real estate markets have shown varying performances in the first half of 2023, signalling a departure from the unified national trends witnessed during the recent housing boom and market normalization period.

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada’s Top-Tier Real Estate: 2023 Mid-Year State of Luxury Report sheds light on the distinct dynamics that have shaped each major metropolitan market.

Vancouver

The ultra-luxury residential real estate market in Vancouver experienced a notable upswing in the first half of 2023, buoyed by improved consumer sentiment and increased sales transactions. Legacy wealth planning and generational wealth transfer have contributed to enduring demand in the city’s luxury segment, leading to a 38 per cent rise in sales of properties priced over $10 million on MLS. However, chronic housing shortages have limited potential transactions, and rising mortgage rates have affected some prospective buyers, resulting in a 25 per cent year-over-year decline in residential sales over $1 million.

Toronto

Despite a slow start to the spring market, Canada’s largest luxury real estate market, Toronto, gradually gained traction in the first half of 2023. The city’s position as the nation’s economic hub and primary destination for immigration has continued to attract buyers and investors. However, housing supply challenges have persisted, impeding potential sales and frustrating prospective homebuyers.

Residential real estate sales over $4 million in Toronto declined by 32 per cent year-over-year, and properties sold over $10 million on MLS reduced to five from seven properties in the same period last year. In the GTA, an influx of spring inventory led to more balanced market conditions, resulting in a 35 per cent year-over-year decrease in residential sales over $4 million and a 29 per cent decline in sales over $1 million.

Montreal

The luxury real estate market in Montreal experienced a slowdown in the first half of 2023, with residential sales volume over $4 million declining by 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. The market also saw a 28 per cent decline in residential sales over $1 million. Active listings remained below historical averages, and luxury buyer activity waned, particularly in the city’s condominium market. This shift prompted an increase in conditional offers, price adjustments, and days on the market, as prospective buyers gained negotiation leverage.

Calgary

In contrast to the other major cities, consumer sentiment in Calgary remained optimistic throughout the first half of 2023. The city’s luxury housing market continued to remain active, with steady momentum in the spring driven by strong buyer and investor demand. Economic optimism and attractive luxury housing prices have also attracted in-migration and real estate investment from other parts of Canada. While overall residential real estate sales over $1 million and $4 million declined nominally by 10 per cent and 20 percent, respectively, the luxury condominium market in Calgary experienced an impressive 100 per cent gain in $1 million-plus sales compared to 2022 levels.

Don Kottick, president and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, noted that the Canadian luxury housing market demonstrated resilience despite rising interest rates and economic uncertainties.

“Canadian luxury market performance has started to diverge, at times unpredictably, between major cities, neighbourhoods and housing types. Vancouver and Toronto’s urban luxury single-family home markets experienced some of the most pronounced improvements in spring activity; however, inadequate supply continued to frustrate potential sales and to undermine the housing needs of locals,” Kottick says.

“Over the past few years, Calgary has emerged as one of Canada’s most upbeat luxury real estate markets, and in the first half of 2023, its condominium market surpassed expectations with annual percentage sales gains that outstripped other major cities’ performance.”

He highlighted a growing disparity between luxury and conventional buyers’ behaviour since the Bank of Canada began raising interest rates in March 2022. Wealthier luxury buyers have been quicker to adapt to rising mortgage rates, re-engaging in property searches and strategic investments. In contrast, conventional buyers have been more cautious, waiting for greater certainty and more favourable market conditions, which experts caution could carry considerable risks given the current unpredictability of the housing market.

Article from REM Magazine Online

Our wonderful clients have just purchased this beauty. Thank you DB from Sutton West Coast for all your help. The seller has really cared for this condo and decorated it beauitfully. 

MUST SEE ground level 2 bedroom & 2 bathroom condo completely renovated in 2013 but still looks and feels like new. Enjoy the large 400 square foot patio garden area fully fenced with separate entrance gate that makes it feel like a townhouse. Inside this beautiful home you will find over 1200 square feet of indoor living space. Quality renovations include tiger wood engineered hardwood in the great room and halls. Porcelain tile in the laundry and bathrooms, complete kitchen and bathroom renovations including electrical, light fixtures and plumbing fixtures. Kitchen Craft cabinets and granite countertops throughout plus quality stainless steel appliances. Centrally located concrete building just a few minutes walk from Semiahmoo Mall and everything White Rock centre has to offer.

Welcome to 406 at “The BENJAMIN.” This top floor cutie is perfect for a 1^st time purchaser, an investor & an empty nester. With high vaulted ceiling & windows that allow the natural light to flow through + lots of wall space for your art collection. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and quartz counter tops. Bedroom with large closet for extra storage. Chic 4-piece bath the soaker tub & rain shower head. Insuite stackable washer & dryer. Fabulous deck for summer dining. This unit has air conditioning. One parking spot. Great location to stroll to shopping, transit, and walking trails. Don’t miss your chance on this cutie…

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/15850

Classic European inspired 5 bedroom, 4 bath executive home located in the prestigious “The Uplands” neighbourhood in Anmore.

Experience stunning mountain views in a private rural lot, just a short drive for the city.

Perfect for entertaining, with a dream kitchen complete with solid wood cabinets, SS appliances, granite countertops & expansive kitchen island.

Family room French doors open to massive outdoor deck, complete with 2 gas hookups.

Rest easy in the large primary bedroom complete with gas fireplace, walk in closet, shower & soaker tub.

Property boosts in ground sprinklers, aircon, custom blinds & beautiful wooden floors.

Walkout basement has suite potential with private balcony, 2 bedrooms, & rec room.

Don’t miss out on this perfect balance of natural & elegance.

 SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market saw strong sales activity in June with levels on par with the 10-year average for the month, amid on-going challenges with supply. In June, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 1,935 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 51.1 per cent compared to June 2022 and a 13.1 per cent increase compared to May.

“As seen in recent months, prices continue to trend upward, with lack of supply and high demand for housing,“ said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “What we’re seeing is sales increasing, with buyers entering the market despite current financial implications of anticipated rate hikes.”

The Board received 3,424 new listings in June, an increase of 2.8 per cent compared to last year, and a decrease of 3.1 per cent compared to May 2023.

The month ended with a total active inventory of 5,944, a 6.9 per cent increase compared to May, and 8.2 per cent less than June of last year. “A number of factors are at play in the Fraser Valley market, from low supply to unprecedented interest rates – the highest in more than 20 years,” said Board CEO, Baldev Gill.

“For those seeking to enter the market, whether buying or selling, only a professional REALTOR® can provide the expert guidance and advice to fully evaluate each clients’ needs, and to protect their interests.” Across Fraser Valley in June, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 21 and a townhome was 16 days. Apartments took, on average, 22 days to sell. MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $1,526,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 2.3 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 7.4 per cent compared to June 2022.

• Townhomes: At $845,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 2.3 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 5.2 per cent compared to June 2022.

• Apartments: At $552,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 1.8 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 2.5 per cent compared to June 2022.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 5,057 real estate professionals who live and work in the BC communities of Abbotsford, Langley, Mission, North Delta, Surrey, and White Rock.

 VANCOUVER, BC – July , 2023 – Continuing the trend that has emerged in the housing market this year, the benchmark price for all home types in Metro Vancouver1 increased in June as home buyer demand butted up against a limited inventory of homes for sale in the region.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales2 in the region totalled 2,988 in June 2023, a 21.1 per cent increase from the 2,467 sales recorded in June 2022. This was 8.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,269).

“The market continues to outperform expectations across all segments, but the apartment segment showed the most relative strength in June,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. “The benchmark price of apartment homes is almost cresting the peak reached in 2022, while sales of apartments are now above the region’s ten-year seasonal average. This uniquely positions the apartment segment relative to the attached and detached segments where sales remained below the ten-year seasonal averages.”

There were 5,348 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in June 2023. This represents a 1.3 per cent increase compared to the 5,278 homes listed in June 2022.

This was 3.1 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (5,518). The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,990, a 7.9 per cent decrease compared to June 2022 (10,842) This was 17.4 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (12,091). Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for June 2023 is 31.4 per cent.

By property type, the ratio is 20.9 per cent for detached homes, 38.5 per cent for townhomes, and 39.4 per cent for apartments. Analysis of the historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months. “Despite elevated borrowing costs, there continues to be too little resale inventory available relative to the pool of buyers in Metro Vancouver.

This is the fundamental reason we continue to see prices increase month over month across all segments,” Lis said. “With the benchmark price for apartments now standing at $767,000, we repeat our call to the provincial government to adjust the $525,000 threshold exempting first-time home buyers from the Property Transfer Tax to better reflect the price of entry-level homes in our region. This is a simple policy adjustment that could help more first-time buyers afford a home right now.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,203,000. This represents a 2.4 per cent decrease over June 2022 and a 1.3 per cent increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of detached homes in June 2023 reached 848, a 28.3 per cent increase from the 661 detached sales recorded in June 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,991,300. This represents a 3.2 per cent decrease from June 2022 and a 1.9 per cent increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,573 in June 2023, an 18.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,326 sales in June 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $767,000. This represents a 0.5 per cent increase from June 2022 and a 0.8 per cent increase compared to May 2023. Attached home sales in June 2023 totalled 547, a 17.6 per cent increase compared to the 465 sales in June 2022.

The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,098,900. This represents a one per cent decrease from June 2022 and a 1.5 per cent increase compared to May 2023. -30- 1.

Editor’s Note: Areas covered by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Whistler. 2. REBGV is now including multifamily and land sales and listings in this monthly report.

Previously, we only included detached, attached, and apartment sales, and these additional categories, which typically account for roughly one to two per cent of total MLS® activity per month, are being included for completeness in our reporting.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 15,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.